Nestled atop a hillock above 1,000 ft from the mean sea level, the Karinjeshwara Kshetra off Bantwal has become a centre of attraction for devout people as well as leisure travellers.
Located atop Kodyamale Hills in Karinja village, the kshetra has two temples dedicated to Parvathi and Shiva, respectively. Karinjeshwara is located about 44 km from Mangaluru on the BC Road-Dharmasthala highway, where one has to turn right while going from Mangaluru at Vogga to reach Karinjeshwara.
While climbing the steps, one first approaches the temple dedicated to Parvathi. This temple can also be reached by road. However, steps are the only means to reach the hill top where the temple dedicated to Shiva is located.
From the top as well as while climbing down, one can have a panoramic view of surrounding areas. The hill-top where the Shiva temple is located is very small and cannot accommodate large gatherings.
The Shiva temple is said to be more than 10 centuries old and mythology connects the location to the Ramayana as well as the Mahabharatha. The hill is inhabited by a good number of simians and they are revered here. After the Naivedya (food offering) at the Shiva temple, the rice is placed on a special stone platform from where the monkeys feast upon the food.
This offering is called the Vanaraanna Seva. It is said that the leader of the simian group, called Karinja Dadda, takes the first bite.
A large natural tank, called Gada Tirtha, at the foothill of Kodyamale said to have been created by the mace of Bheema of the Mahabharatha, is another tourist attraction. Besides this, there are three other small water bodies, Varaha Tirtha, Ungushta Tirtha and Janu Tirtha.
